Northey budget request focuses on water quality

Water quality has been big talk here in Iowa this year. As stated in a press release, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey requested $6.65 million for the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and another $1 million to support urban conservation efforts. Northey met with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds to make this request for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's fiscal 2015 budget.

“I appreciate the strong support the governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature have shown for voluntary, science-based conservation efforts, and this request is designed to help us build on progress we have made to this point,” Northey said. “This level of funding would put the water quality initiative at the same level as the soil conservation cost-share program we have operated for decades. And, the $1 million for an urban conservation program would help engage Iowans living in our towns and cities in conservation efforts.”